Yes, You Can Scroll: What A Spinal Decompression Session Is Like

If you saw our sped-up video of a decompression session, you already know the secret: the patient spends most of it lying there while the table does the work. That's a pretty fair picture.

If you want the background on what decompression is and who it's for, start with What Is Spinal Decompression, and Who Is It For?. This post is about the session itself: what happens, what it feels like, how long it takes and what you can do while you're on the table.

Before Your First Session

Nobody starts on the table. Your first visit is an exam of your back and your history, plus X-rays if you need them, so Dr. Currington can confirm decompression fits your condition. If it does, he builds your plan, and the computer program that runs the table is set for your condition.

Getting Set Up

The clinic uses a Lordex Spinal Decompression Table, which has separate upper and lower sections. You lie on it fully clothed. One of our trained staff fits you with a harness that attaches to the lower section, then sets up the program and supervises the session.

What It Feels Like

Once the program starts, the lower section of the table moves slowly. It alternates between gently stretching your spine and letting it relax, in slow cycles. Over time, that stretching separates the vertebrae and can take pressure off the disc and the nerves around it.

It should feel like a gentle stretch, not pain. If anything hurts, tell the staff right away.

What You Can Do While You're on the Table

Mostly, you just lie there. In our video, the patient spends the session scrolling on their phone. Some people would rather close their eyes and rest. If you want to bring your phone, ask the staff at your first session what works with your setup.

How Long It Takes

Each session usually lasts about 20 to 30 minutes. Afterward you can go back to your day.

How Often You Come In

Decompression is a series, not a one-time visit. Patients usually come in a few times a week and typically finish within 8 to 12 weeks, depending on their condition.

The effects are cumulative, so the change is usually easier to notice from the middle to the end of your plan than after the first session. It helps to know that going in, so one visit doesn't feel like the whole story.

The Rest of Your Plan

Decompression rarely works alone. Depending on your exam, your plan can also include chiropractic adjustments, core-strengthening exercises, soft tissue therapy and lifestyle changes that support the disc as it heals. The clinic is part of the Disc Centers of America network, a group of clinics built around non-surgical decompression for disc pain.

Is It Right for You?

Decompression is built for problems that start at a disc, like herniated and bulging discs, sciatica that starts at a disc in the low back and degenerative disc disease. Some people need a different plan, or at least a conversation first, including during pregnancy or after spinal surgery with hardware. The exam is how we find out. There's more on our spinal decompression page.

Come See the Table

If disc pain is slowing you down, book an exam and we'll find out whether decompression makes sense for you. Dallas Lifestyle Management Clinic is at 4228 N Central Expy, Suite 104, Dallas, TX 75206. Questions? Call (214) 520-1006.